His Majesty’s Conversation with the News Agency
Dr. Husni Khalifa, Editor‑in‑Chief of the Egyptian News Agency, had traveled to Jeddah and was honored to meet His Majesty King Saud before the King’s visit to Egypt. He wrote:
“Since the land of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia burst forth with streams of black gold, wealth and prosperity have flowed upon it in abundance, as though God had destined for this Arab land a vast and enduring good, granting it an inexhaustible source of riches.
I saw this dear sister nation—beloved to every Arab heart—advancing steadily along the path of progress and development, without relinquishing any of its rights or allowing any opportunist to exploit its resources, undermine the interests of its people, or infringe upon its sovereignty.
I saw in it an image reminiscent of what occurred at the beginning of this century in the American state of Texas, once the least significant and most backward of the states, until oil gushed forth and prosperity spread, transforming it into one of the richest and most powerful states in America. Such, too, is the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the Arab world.”
A Renaissance Guarded by a King
“There is no doubt in my mind that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its present surge toward progress and advancement, will reach the level every sincere Arab hopes for. And when Saudi Arabia attains what we aspire for it, the standing of all Arabs will be strengthened, for the strength of each Arab country is a source of strength for all Arab lands.
This renaissance is today guarded by King Saud, whom I had the honor of meeting in Jeddah, where His Majesty graciously answered ten questions I presented to him.
Below are the questions and His Majesty’s responses:”
“Our Love for Egypt Is Inherited, and We Shall Pass It to Our Children”
Question:
The Egyptian people eagerly await Your Majesty’s visit, confident that it will strengthen the deep ties between our two nations and open new horizons for cooperation between the Saudi and Egyptian peoples. Would Your Majesty kindly address a message to the Egyptian people in particular, and to the Arab peoples in general, on this happy occasion?
King Saud:
“Our visit to Egypt is dear to my heart, for between us and Egypt lie bonds of religion, Arab brotherhood, and shared interests. This is not new; it is a long‑standing sentiment we inherited and will continue to uphold in the future, and we shall pass it on to our children. Nothing is more beloved to a person than meeting those he loves and those who return his affection.
All that I wish for our sister Egypt is what we wish for ourselves—honor and sovereignty. Every joy and prosperity that befalls Egypt is shared by our country and by all Arab lands.
We hope to work with Egypt and the Arab countries to unite our word and advance in all that benefits our collective affairs and strengthens our unity. We ask God to guide us to what is good for us, for our country, for Egypt, and for all Arabs.”
“The Wealth of Our Country Will Drive Us Toward Progress”
Question:
The Saudi people are making great strides toward progress. Could Your Majesty mention some of the political and developmental projects currently underway?
King Saud:
“Our country, as you know, is vast in its expanse, and it proceeds steadily along the path of reform in the fields of health, education, agriculture, and development. God has blessed us with security throughout the Kingdom, which has greatly aided the steady march of development. The natural wealth of the country—mineral and agricultural—will be a driving force in achieving the development projects we have planned.”
The Palestine Question
Question:
What is Your Majesty’s view on the Palestine issue and the refugee problem, and how can they be resolved in their current state?
King Saud:
“We have nothing new to add beyond what we have already stated. Our view is the view of the Arabs—and of every fair‑minded person—regarding a case rarely matched in history: a people expelled from their land through killing and displacement for no crime except that they are Arabs and the original inhabitants of the land. We shall work with the Arab states to do all within our power to support the oppressed until God grants relief.”
“Supporting Egypt with All We Can”
Question:
The Egyptian Ambassador, Mr. al‑Husayni al‑Khatib, told me that Your Majesty follows an Arab nationalist foreign policy aligned with Egypt’s. Would Your Majesty comment?
King Saud:
“This requires no elaboration. Our foreign policy is an Arab policy aimed at serving Arab interests. We are in full accord with Egypt in our foreign policy, and the ties between us require that we—and all Arab countries—support Egypt with all we can, just as we support any rightful Arab cause in every field.”
King Saud to Visit Pakistan
Question:
Will Your Majesty visit Karachi soon, and why?
King Saud:
“Yes, we shall visit the friendly Islamic nation of Pakistan, for between us lie bonds of religion and shared Islamic interests.”
“We Reject American Aid if It Touches Our Sovereignty”
Question:
Why did Your Majesty reject the American military and financial aid recently offered?
King Saud:
“We seek to strengthen our friendly relations with all governments that desire our friendship. We accept cooperation with any state provided it does not infringe upon our independence or sovereignty, nor harm any Arab country. On this basis we deal with the American government and others, whether in accepting cooperation or rejecting it.”
“We Exert Every Effort to Unite the Arabs”
Question:
What is Your Majesty’s view of the Turkey–Pakistan Pact? May an Arab state join it when Arab consensus rejects cooperation with the West before resolving Arab issues?
King Saud:
“We do not have full knowledge of the details of the pact you mentioned. From our side, we exert every effort to unite the Arabs and prevent any division among them.”
Strengthening Solidarity within the Arab League
Question:
What is Your Majesty’s view of the growing call among Arab peoples for closer cooperation and a firm Arab union?
King Saud:
“We work for the unity of the Arab word. We believe that strengthening solidarity within the Arab League—which we strive to reinforce—is what will, by God’s will, help unite the Arabs. This is what we seek and sincerely call for.”
Resolving the Buraimi Issue Peacefully
Question:
Is there anything new regarding the British aggression on the al‑Buraimi area?
King Saud:
“We seek to resolve this dispute with the British government through peaceful means, despite the obstacles placed by some British officials in various regions.”
“Egyptians in Our Country Are Among Their Own People”
Question:
What is Your Majesty’s view of the Egyptian advisers, technicians, employees, and workers serving in your flourishing Kingdom?
King Saud:
“Our great confidence in the people of Egypt is what led us to benefit from Egyptian experts and workers. They are our brothers, and when they work in our country, they feel they are working in their own land and for the good of their own nation. They are not strangers here; they are among their brothers and kin.”
Fouad Shakir
Journeys in the Fields of Work and Struggle